Article Title

Bulimia as a Masturbatory Equivalent

Authors

Eric Levin, MD, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

Abstract

Introduction

In the last few years much has been written about those who binge-eat and then purge. These people, most of whom are women, resort to extreme measures to avoid gaining weight while not foregoing the gratification of eating.

Most recent papers on this disorder have focused upon description, classification, and the search for neurobiological causality . Little has been presented on the psychodynamics of bulimia that would help us understand the symbolic significance of this disorder. The following case presentation illustrates how bulimia may present as a neurotic symptom, and as such may be overdetermined, yet representative of a masturbatory equivalent.

Recommended Citation

Levin, MD, Eric (1985) "Bulimia as a Masturbatory Equivalent," Jefferson Journal of Psychiatry: Vol. 3: Iss. 2, Article 6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29046/JJP.003.2.003
Available at: https://jdc.jefferson.edu/jeffjpsychiatry/vol3/iss2/6